MPs to resign if caretaker not restored

Threatens BNP

BNP yesterday threatened that its lawmakers would quit parliament if the government did not restore the caretaker government system.

The threat came following the recent comment by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that the next general election would be held under her government.

“We will consider resigning from parliament unless we get an assurance from the government that a bill on the restoration of caretaker government will be placed in parliament,” Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque told a sit-in before the Jatiya Press Club.

Meanwhile, BNP coordinator Tariqul Islam yesterday said the present government was now surviving on life support.

Addressing a procession in the capital's Nayapaltan, the BNP standing committee member raised questions about a rare press conference on Monday by the Armed Forces Division on the much talked about defence purchase deal with Russia.

At the sit-in, Zainul Abdin Farroque said, “We cannot join parliament at a time when our leader BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been accused in a false case and our acting secretary general has been put behind bars.”

He also mentioned that the BNP-led 18-party alliance will neither participate in any polls under Sheikh Hasina's government, nor let any election be held without a caretaker government.

The BNP-led opposition parties have been boycotting parliament since March last year. The 16th session of the ninth parliament is scheduled to begin on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, the prime minister said the next parliamentary polls would be held before January 25 next year in line with constitutional provisions.

Asked about the polls format, she said election would be held in the way it is held in other parliamentary democracies. But the opposition can still have their say in the House.

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BNP's MPs decision to resign from parliament if government does not restore caretaker government system will not make a difference to Awami Leauge. However, BNP has no other alternative. It seems the fate of the next general elections is uncertain without the participation of BNP. The ruling party should sit BNP as soon as possible to solve this crisis and avoid another 1/11 situation!

: Labu Khan

If the BNP really intends to resign then it should resign quickly. Statements indicating a possible intent to do something in the future are worthless. Act strongly but in a non-violent manner. A parliament comprised solely of treasure bench members is no different than a non-democratic one party state.